| Marine life is regarded as the most beautiful of all | | | | useful if a PAR meter is unavailable. Hobbyists |
| life forms in the universe. An aquarium helps us to | | | | that use LUX as a unit of measurement would |
| display marine life to capture a portion of this | | | | typically keep their reef aquarium or freshwater |
| amazing splendid state. A reef aquarium or planted | | | | planted aquarium light intensity between |
| aquarium decorated with fish, invertebrates and | | | | (3000-14,000 LUX), depending on how heavily |
| plants is a glimpse of the astonishing beauty of a | | | | stocked it is with soft corals, hard corals or plants. |
| world thousands of miles away from our sight | | | | The Kelvin temperature (K) is the scientific unit |
| and imaginations. Having the proper lighting is one | | | | for temperature, and is often used to measure |
| of the major key components to bringing it all | | | | the color temperature of light, or more |
| together. | | | | accurately, the measurement of the temperature |
| Our goal in providing sufficient aquarium lighting | | | | of an object emitting black body radiation (also |
| includes replicating the natural lighting conditions, to | | | | known as thermal radiation, or radiant heat) as |
| provide an innate habitat. Several notable factors | | | | visible light (to be useful to aquarists). Kelvin |
| determine the lighting scheme for a given | | | | temperature is a very useful way to measure the |
| aquarium. We will discuss some of the basic | | | | color spectrum of a bulb. Kelvin temperature has |
| terminology regarding aquarium lighting, including | | | | become the common color-rating index among |
| Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR), LUX, | | | | bulbs produced for the hobby. A combination of |
| and Kelvin Temperature (K). This will help to give | | | | fluorescent actinics, 6,500-degree K, and |
| you a better understanding of how to measure | | | | 20,000-degree K metal halides are what many |
| the light you are providing for your own aquarium. | | | | aquarium hobbyists consider the most pleasing, |
| When hobbyists refer to light "intensity" in an | | | | not only for the tank inhabitants, but also for |
| aquarium, PAR is what they are actually referring | | | | viewing pleasures. |
| to, as PAR is literally the amount of light energy | | | | Aquarium lamp types, include metal halide, |
| usable by chloroplasts per given area. | | | | fluorescent, compact fluorescents also called |
| Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) is | | | | power compacts, incandescent and LED. LED |
| considered by many the best way to measure | | | | lighting sources are one of the latest options in |
| light energy and quantity for the aquarist, and is | | | | aquarium lighting. Some hobbyist would say they |
| much simpler to define and measure than any | | | | are the best, as they consume less electricity and |
| other form of light measurement. For the home | | | | produce less heat. Moreover, Led's can be used in |
| aquarist's purpose, PAR is the number of photons | | | | different colors in different areas of an aquarium. |
| per meter squared per second of light that falls | | | | The LED lighting source is generally assembled |
| between ~400 nanometers (nm) and ~700nm in | | | | using a Plexiglas board with fitted Led's. In addition |
| wavelength. Photosynthetic efficiency peaks at | | | | to lamp types, other lighting accessories include |
| around 430 nanometers, which is approximately | | | | fixtures, hoods, canopies and light timers. |
| the major spectral output of a standard blue | | | | In essence various lighting schemes will be needed |
| (actinic) bulb, and 680 nanometers, which is | | | | to facilitate the needs for different aquariums, |
| approximately the major spectral output of a | | | | including fish-only aquariums, fish-only-with-live-rock |
| (white) daylight bulb. Both bulb types and | | | | (FOWLR), freshwater planted tanks, and reef |
| wavelengths are useful in providing PAR to | | | | tanks. To save yourself some frustration, we |
| photosynthetic invertebrates, therefore it is | | | | recommend continuing researching about the |
| recommended to use both types of lamps. | | | | lighting requirements for your particular fish and |
| LUX is a unit of measurement of lumens per | | | | aquarium, before making your first purchase. An |
| square meter, sometimes (and incorrectly) used | | | | important reminder! Don't forget to check online |
| synonymously with light intensity. Instead, LUX is | | | | aquarium supply stores, as they typically have a |
| the measurement of apparent intensity, as | | | | more diverse selection with better pricing than a |
| viewed by the human eye, per square meter. | | | | neighborhood fish store. In conclusion, once you |
| Because the human eye weights certain parts of | | | | are familiar with the lighting requirements, it will be |
| the spectrum (certain wavelengths) as brighter | | | | easy for you to obtain the specific lighting you |
| than others, two light sources can have the same | | | | need. With dedication you will be rewarded with a |
| intensity but a different LUX. LUX was somewhat | | | | beautiful thriving piece of the ocean that you can |
| useful to the aquarist before PAR meters | | | | be proud of. |
| became relatively affordable, and can still be | | | | |